Law, Government and Justice
UndergraduateGRF-CCJ132022
Course information for 2022 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Study the ideas and institutions that contribute to law and its production. Examine the relationship between rules, morality, justice and politics. Consider the rule of law, role of judges, human and indigenous rights, democracy and government power.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Law, Government and Justice
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- Describe key institutions involved in making and influencing laws in Australia
- Understand principles and theories underlying Australian law and government
- Explain constraints on efficient and effective law-making in Australia
- Think critically about the operation and fairness of law and government
- Identify, locate and analyse information resources relevant to the degree
- Describe key political institutions and processes in the Australian context, and compare these with other systems internationally
- Understand how institutions and processes of law and politics are relevant to the operation of the criminal justice system throughout Australia.
- Law, Government and Criminal Justice
- Law and Government in Australia
- Federalism
- Politics and the Media
- Founding Principles
- Justice
- Indigenous Rights and Recognition
- Human Rights
- Cybercrime
- Counter-Terrorism
- International Comparisons
This subject was previously known as Law, Government and Policy.
This subject introduces key ideas and institutions associated with law and its production in Australia. It examines how law is made by courts and parliaments, and the principal legal and political conventions and processes involved in law making. This knowledge provides a foundation for further study on criminal law and justice systems.
This is a core, introductory subject in the Criminology and Criminal Justice program. It gives students an overview of the role of law in Australian society, and how it is made, influenced and applied by courts and by governments. These concepts and processes are an essential framework for the criminal justice system and knowledge developed in this degree provides a foundation for later studies in criminology and criminal justice, and for employment in the field.
The central focus of the subject is on examining how law and politics operate and interact in society. The relationship between concepts like rules, morality, justice, politics and power are also examined. Students think critically about the law-making process, and consider diverse issues including: the moral content of laws; liberalism, legalism and the rule of law; the role of judges; indigenous rights and justice; the nature of democracy; the exercise and control of government power; and human rights. This is done through the use of case studies to encourage a problem-based approach to learning.Â
The subject also has a strong focus on skill development for both academic and vocational purposes, especially research, writing and critical analysis.
- Online Quizzes (20%)
- Law Reform Report (50%)
- School based exam (30%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.
Learn more about Griffith University.
Explore Griffith courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 18
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 21
Entry requirements
Others
Students who have completed more than 2 OUA units (GPA 4.0+) and are planning on completing the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice are strongly encouraged to enrol in the degree. Part of this process will involve registering your study plan with Griffith University, which will help to ensure that you are studying the required units.
Additional requirements
- Other requirements -
The textbook information for this subject can be found below:
Fenna, A., Robbins, E. and Summers, J. (2014) Government and Politics in Australia. Pearson. (Available as ebook)
ISBN: 9781486000517
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateGRF-BUS-DEG
Bachelor of Applied Financial Advice
UndergraduateGRF-AFA-DEG
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